Synonyms of make matters worse
15 similar words · 3 opposite words
Another word for make matters worse is add fuel to the fire. Other synonyms of make matters worse are add insult to injury, cap it all off, fan the flames, throw gasoline on the fire and With malice. The opposite of make matters worse is improve.
Synonyms and similar words for make matters worse
verbTo worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting...
- add fuel to the fireTo worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- add insult to injuryTo further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an already unfavorable situation.
- cap it all off
- fan the flamesTo intensify or worsen an already difficult situation.
- throw gasoline on the fireSynonym of add fuel to the fire.
- With malice
- hit someone when they are downSynonym of kick someone when they are down (“make things worse for someone in a difficult position”).
- kick a dog when it's downTo make things worse for someone in an adverse situation.
- kick someone when they are downTo make things worse for someone who is going through a difficult time.
- punch down
- put the boot in
- rub it in
- rub salt in the woundTo aggravate or exacerbate a physical or emotional injury.
- strike someone when they are downSynonym of kick someone when they are down (“make things worse for someone in a difficult position”).
- twist the knifeTo deliberately do or say something to worsen a difficult situation or increase a person's distress, irritation, or...
Opposite of make matters worse
verbMore antonyms
- improve
- pour oil on troubled watersTo calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.
- repair
Meaning of make matters worse
- verb To worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.
Questions about synonyms of make matters worse
- What is another word for make matters worse?
- Make matters worse has 15 synonyms on Word.ws, such as add fuel to the fire, add insult to injury, cap it all off, fan the flames, throw gasoline on the fire, With malice, hit someone when they are down and kick a dog when it's down.
- What is the opposite of make matters worse?
- The opposite of make matters worse is improve.
- What does make matters worse mean?
- Make matters worse means to worsen an already difficult situation or unfavourable set of circumstances, typically by acting rashly, foolishly, or incompetently.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: make matters worse (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of make matters worse.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/make_matters_worse. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.